Harper College dedicates gallery to steadfast arts supporter Martha Bell

Harper College recently dedicated its campus art gallery to Martha Bell, a long-standing supporter of the college’s arts programming and multi-million-dollar art collection.

Martha’s relationship with Harper goes back to 1991, when she joined the Harper College Educational Foundation Board, later becoming its first woman president. She also chaired the Art Committee, broadening the college’s art collection, which was owned by the foundation at the time.

“In my lifetime, I’ve had the chance to see many museums and galleries,” Martha said about the college’s collection at the dedication ceremony. “But our Harper students may never have had that experience. Seeing that art makes a huge impact [and brings] a cultural awareness and a window on the world.”

Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper’s president, celebrated Martha’s passion for the arts as well as her support for the college. She mentioned that she recently created the Martha Bell and Glen Reeser Art Program Fund, which will support arts programming at Harper, including the collection, her namesake gallery and other fine and visual arts programs.

“She helped establish the vibrant arts culture we are so proud of today,” said Dr. Proctor. “Thank you for your vision, your steadfast dedication and leadership at Harper and, of course, your generosity.”

Martha’s new fund will also support the salary for an art curator/gallery manager at Harper, allowing the position to be full-time – a first in the college’s history. In her remarks, she acknowledged the extra hours that Harper’s Art & Design Department faculty put in at the college and hoped her donation can ease the burden on professors and instructors.

Art Professor Jason Peot has known Martha for years, at one time co-chairing the Art Committee with her. Jason, who will continue running the gallery program until the new curator is hired this spring, shared his appreciation for her time, expertise and kindness.

“Martha’s generous gift will have a huge impact on the future of our collection and the gallery programming. The naming of the new Martha Bell Gallery and the new curator position that she will be funding will forever mark the influence she has had on all of the art programming at Harper College,” Jason said. “I am proud to say that, although I will be the last faculty curator in the Art & Design Department, I get to be the first director of the new Martha Bell Gallery.”

The first show at the newly named gallery, Building C, Room C200, is the annual Small Works exhibition, which presents juried pieces submitted from around the country. The 47th edition of the show continues through October at Harper’s Palatine campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road. Martha expressed her excitement about the multiple exhibitions that continue to fill the gallery each year.

“It gives me great joy to envision the art legacy at Harper, its students and the community,” she said. “I’m honored to have my name associated with this gallery.”